Harris urges fans not to panic over ‘work in progress’

Mike Simmonds

Hatters assistant boss Terry Harris has urged Town fans not to panic and keep faith what he describes as a ‘work in progress’.

A crowd of over 8,000 at Kenilworth Road were left frustrated once more last night as their side were held to a 1-1 draw by Leyton Orient in a match devoid of any real excitement for the home faithful.

“It’s a work in progress, I keep saying those words, but that’s what it is.”

Terry Harris

When asked what he would say to supporters, whose anxieties grew and grew, with the atmosphere barely registering at times, Harris said: “Just dig in there, I understand their frustrations after the game Saturday, I totally understand their frustrations.

“But it’s a work in progress, I keep saying those words, but that’s what it is.

“Stick with us, stick behind us, which I think hopefully 99 per cent of them are anyway and we’ll push on.

“We were second looking at the form guide, at this moment in time, we’re mid-October and we’re 12th and probably four or five points behind third place.

“So there’s no need to panic, no rush, we’re getting there, let’s see at the end of the season.”

Town’s formation came in for criticism from certain sections last night too as lining up with a diamond, there was precious little width on show throughout the evening.

Once more, neither wingers Danny Green or Ryan Hall were included on the bench, and on their continued absences, Harris continued: “They were in the squad, but weren’t on the bench.

“It’s a very thin dividing line between being on the bench or not involved at all really. We just felt that the personnel we had on the bench was suited to the system that we played.”

Although Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was among the substitutes, he was also not called up on as Harris said: “Maybe he might have to wait a little bit longer too.

“Each and everyone of them know that when there time is called they’re going to have to be ready.

“I know Pelly’s ready as I know Danny Green and Ryan Hall are ready. Their time will come.”

While on the formation utilised, which saw the likes of Jonathan Smith wide on the left at times, Harris added: “We just felt that was the best formation for the day. We knew Orient would play the same, so we just ensured that the guy behind the front two, (John) Marquis was shackled.

“We thought if we could get the ball wide, get the ball into the channels, then certainly Craig (Mackail-Smith) and Jack (Marriott) could cause them a problem.

“I thought Orient probably used the full back space better than what we did as (Sean) Clohessy bombed on, certainly in the first half.

“We said to Danny (Potts) you’ve got to come and meet him earlier as he’s taking you into our own penalty box, you’ve got to shackle him earlier.

“But when two teams play a diamond, it’s full back on full back.”

Orient’s goal came from a mistake by Potts too as he was beaten far too easily by visiting right back Clohessy, who crossed for Jay Simpson to net.

Harris added: “Every goal you concede you can pick it to bits. You could see Pottsy, who I thought played well on the night, I have to say, he half turned and let the guy go across and we didn’t really defend the ball across the six yard box.

“But he’s a young lad, Dan, he’s got a good future ahead of him and think he’ll do well for us, but that one slip cost us the points.”